Grace Taylor VanNortwick

Grace Taylor VanNortwick died peacefully in her sleep on October 1, 2017. She was 98. Grace was born in Morehead City, N.C., the only child of J. Clarence and Grace Wallace Taylor. She graduated from Charles S. Wallace High School and Greensboro College, where she was a member of the glee club and played on the tennis and soccer teams. Grace was selected Miss Morehead City and voted "Most Popular" in her college graduating class. After graduation, she was teaching grammar school in Bethel, N.C., when she met Cmdr. William A. VanNortwick, then a Navy flight surgeon. Grace and Van were married in 1942 and settled in Jacksonville following World War II. In addition to raising children and managing her family, Grace was an active volunteer in the P.T.A., Duval County Medical Society Auxiliary (president,1967), Visiting Nurses Association, and University (now UF Health) Hospital Auxiliary, Begonia Garden

Club(president 1978-1980) and Ruth Church Circle at the Ortega Methodist Church. She enthusiastically enjoyed travel with Van and playing on the Florida Yacht Club tennis team.

Grace was predeceased by her husband and is survived by her children, William A. VanNortwick, Jr. (Maria E. Henderson),Jacksonville Beach; Wallace T.

VanNortwick (Debbie), Baton Rouge, LA; Nina G. VanNortwick, Jacksonville; and Clare V. Gilmore (Paul), Central Point, Or; and her grand children, T. Wade VanNortwick, Chicago, III., Patrick E. Gilmore, Olympia, WA. and Grace Manon Gilmore, Portland, OR. Grace's sparkling eyes, sharp wit, and harmonizing voice are missed by all.

There will be a private graveside service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the charity of your choice, in memory of Grace.